I have a bit of a bug about misuse of protocol such as the improper use of "Mr. Premier" as an aggrandizement of your meerly "Honourable" Mister. I mean, if you are going to have a silly system, use it correctly. So, while doing a little research on protocol to answer the question how long John Ralston Saul gets called "His Excellency" (whew...not for life), who is illustrated to the right looking altogether excellent with his silver Canada Fitness Award or whatever that is around his neck and slouching, I was interested to come across this this tid-bit of protocol-iania:
Informal WearSo, when invited to a sherry party, I can wear my lounge suit.Lounge suit and afternoon dress is usually indicated for receptions held after 6:00 p.m. This attire may be also worn for morning coffee parties, luncheons, afternoon tea and receptions, sherry parties, garden parties, evening outdoor receptions, and evening receptions.
Being the Canadian blogger in the forefront of sherry thought - meaning I can tell the difference between a manzinilla and a fino,
yahearwhamsayin' - I would be eager to participate in the Xeresian equivalent of a kegger. But what to make of the "lounge suit" requirement. Surely not the suit I use for lounging which is basically b'ball shorts, a hoodie and a ballcap. Or maybe they are talking about a 1970s lounge singer look, a la SCTV's Bobby Bittman, left. Surely they are not referencing the Six Million Dollar Man safari suit, right, of which I had a sky blue polyester version in grade nine. Can anyone give a better answer? Johnny looks like he knows but he's not telling. Bet he's got a closet full of lounge suits.Update: Apparently, a lounge suit is what most humans call..."a suit".
Comments
Mike - January 21, 2005 6:52 PM
Here's a pic from someone's sherry party... man, these guys are way off.
Alan - January 21, 2005 7:26 PM
Ooo - I recognize the disorder from my early 80s days at UKC under John Godfrey. Unfortunately, we were stuck with bad South African Paarl fino when a decent oloroso from Jerez would have much more welcomed by a newbie palate. <p>I have been toying with creating sherryblog.com as the slowest moving blog on the blogroll.
Matt F. - January 22, 2005 4:50 PM
Obviously, it is the Order of Canada which His Excellency is wearing around his neck.
Alan - January 22, 2005 4:52 PM
Are you sure? I thought it was some sort of Shopper's Drug Mart loyalty reward.
Alan - January 22, 2005 5:05 PM
Awarded to JRS ten days before the installation of the current G.-G., the Order of Canada now has 4000 members including the band Rush and Mr. Dress-up. It is interesting to note that Geddy Lee of Rush has the following information noted under his biobraphical note for the Order:<blockquote class="smalltext"> Members of the progressive rock trio, RUSH, these veterans of the stage have raised over a million dollars for charities such as food banks and the United Way. Their efforts have enhanced an awareness of the plight faced by society's less fortunate, inspiring and awakening the social consciousness of an entire generation. Musicians far and wide have been influenced by the band's accomplishments, a testament to their contribution to popular music.</blockquote>JRS clearly needs to hack the Rideau Hall databases this weekend as his bio just states "spouse of the twenty-six Governor General of Canada." Mr. Dress-up's bio is great:<blockquote class="smalltext"> Affectionately known across the country as "Mr. Dressup", he has been entertaining young people in a gentle, caring fashion for three decades, refusing to succumb to a more aggressive, commercialized format. Believing that education linked with entertainment enhances the cognitive learning process, he encouraged and stimulated the imagination of pre-school children in thousands of original television programs.</blockquote>
'nee - January 22, 2005 7:00 PM
As opposed to a tux, I suspect.
(JR's "Doubter's Companion" was an excellent read, btw.)
portland - January 26, 2005 9:13 PM
its the thing you get out of a phone if you unscrew the bottom part. does he have to buy the suits by the way or are they issued to him?